Commentaire 250 – commentaires et rétroaction

Linda Tse

I am aware of the Scarborough North community and the many challenges that confront it. For over 20 years, I have worked in Scarborough North, as writer for a Chinese-language newspaper, reporter for a Cantonese-language TV station, senior manager for the largest Chinese seniors home, and currently as development director for the local hospital foundation.

When the pandemic hit, Scarborough North had the lowest levels of vaccine uptake in the city of Toronto. It was clear why: the large amount of misinformation and disinformation circulating in ethnic communities, many of whom do not rely on mainstream media due to the language gap. The situation in vaccine uptake changed for the better. Projects like the Immunization Partnership Fund supported community-based COVID-19 education and addressed gaps in knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of Canadians, with a particular emphasis on underserved or marginalized populations. As a result, the numbers of vaccine uptake improved and the three hospitals in Scarborough serve as a vital role to service and protect the health of the community with impressive outcome.

But unfortunately, there was no similar community-based approach to the 2021 Census. Scarborough North's record low vaccine uptake correlates to record low participation in the 2021 Census. Whether it was due to the language gap or marginalization, the reality on the ground was that people were frightened for their lives: messages on Chinese social media like WeChat told people to stay home, not open the front door, and even disinfect their mail before touching it.

Scarborough North's population was undercounted in an extraordinary way due to the language gap and marginalization of ethnic communities. The 2021 Census must not be viewed as any ordinary Census. It was the Pandemic Census, and precarious data can only lead to precarious decisions.

I understand that you cannot fix the Pandemic Census, but I know that you can choose to put the numbers before you into perspective. If you do so, then you will see that reducing Scarborough North's representation is a step in the wrong direction and leads only to further marginalization.

With deepest gratitude,

Linda Tse